Grantsville in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The National Road
The Road that Built the Nation
Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 6, 2023
1. The National Road Marker
"…so many happy people, restless in the midst of abundance." - Alexis de Tocqueville, 1810
Americans are an adventurous people. From past to present, they have used feet, horses, wagons, stagecoaches, canals, railroads, bicycles, automobiles, trucks and buses to "perpetually change their plans and abodes."
Centuries ago, George Washington dreamed of a highway joining east and west. In 1806, Thomas Jefferson made that roadway a reality when he risked his Presidency by authorizing, "an Act to regulate the laying out and making of a road from Cumberland in the State of Maryland to the State of Ohio."
The next generation built that "United States Road," at thirty-foot wide, crushed stone thoroughfare that spanned rivers, traversed mountains and opened up America's western frontier to the Mississippi. Merchants, traders and families from all over the world journeyed along this route in their quest to claim land, expand markets and form new lives.
Today, you can trace that same path along the Historic National Road. Discover the places, events and stories that shaped this nation. To have your own adventure, visit
this page online
Are We There Yet?
These early 20th century travelers speak to all of us who at one time or another couldn't wait to get out of the car. Today, we have the luxury of taking our modern interstates for granted. But who can't relate to those faces?
Erected by Maryland Heritage Areas Authority; America's Byways; Maryland National Road Association.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Historic National Road series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1810.
Location. 39° 41.812′ N, 79° 8.546′ W. Marker is in Grantsville, Maryland, in Garrett County. It is on Casselman Road west of Main Street (Alternate U.S. 40), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 187 Casselman Rd, Grantsville MD 21536, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Western Maryland.
Photographed by F. Robby, July 31, 2016
2. The National Road Marker
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Casselman River Bridge State Park (here, next to this marker); Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Casselman River Bridge State Park (here, next to this marker); The National Pike (a few steps from this marker); Castleman’s River Bridge / The Little Crossings (a few steps from this marker); “The Little Crossings” / Castleman’s River Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Miller House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Original Tombstone of Solomon Glotfelty (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grantsville.
Photographed by Bradley Owen, May 6, 2023
3. The National Road Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 13, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 13, 2026, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 9 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on May 6, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 2. submitted on October 10, 2016, by F. Robby of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on May 6, 2023, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
